Identifying some myths: the misleadingly named European Social Model
Left ‘remain’ supporters are fond of citing the EU’s so-called ‘social democratic’ approach to economic policy, sometimes referred to as the European Social Model (ESM), as a key reason why the UK should vote to stay in the EU on the 23rd of June. Unfortunately, the reality of the EU does not support this perception. If the ESM was ever true, it now seems an out of date perception. The truth is, in the EU neo-liberalism is the dominant policy paradigm. The EU has developed wh
Never mind TTIP, the EU is on its own mission to ‘marketise’ healthcare…
There has been a lot of discussion over the last few weeks, especially after the recent leak, about the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Treaty (currently being negotiated by the EU and the United States) having catastrophic consequences for the National Health Service (NHS). The potential impact of TTIP is concerning. Further, the un-democratic nature of unelected Commissioners conducting, along with the input of interest groups, secret negotiations should con
